SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATED JAW STRUCTURE AND A DETACHABLE KNIFE

摘要

A surgical instrument (10) with articulated jaw structure includes a frame (12) and two jaws (16, 18). The jaws have proximal portions (30, 36) that are mounted to each other for movement in a substantially parallel relation between a fully open position wherein the jaws are separated for receiving tissue therebetween and an approximated position wh the jaws are in the fully open position when the distal portion of at least one of the jaws is located in an extended position and are in the approximated position when the distal pvrtion of the extended jaw or jaws is located in a retracted position. The surgical instrument may further include a detachable knife assembly and knife actuating mechanism.